Movers and Shakers
About two years ago, my husband and I decided we needed a change. We were on the family path, and our tiny one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn didn't exactly fit the bill. Sure, we had a fabulous view of the Manhattan Skyline, were close to our friends as well as to tons of great restaurants, bars, and shopping. But none of that mattered. What we wanted was SPACE. We dreamed of 3,000 square feet, a basement, a yard, a garage. A whole room that stood unused most of the time, there just in case a guest happened upon us. Where this space was located, we didn't think mattered, as long as we could get to our workplaces in the city. We looked farther out in Brooklyn, then even farther out. We looked in the Hudson Valley. We looked in Queens. We looked in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx and were a hair's breadth from moving there when we came upon a two-family fixer-upper in Riverdale, on the other side of the Bronx. It seemed to have everything we wanted, a huge park a block away, a garage, heck, the basement alone was bigger than any of our previous apartments. It was even close to the 1 train into Manhattan. We snapped it up.
We spent the next year or so pouring all we had into it--our savings, our energy, our time. Literally, our blood, sweat, and certainly tears. Finally, it was finished. And it was spectacular. I should say, it IS spectacular. All of the rooms and details are singularly ours, from the kitchen tile to the rain shower to the dining room chandelier. It is perfect. With one small problem. We don't like the neighborhood. And, we desperately miss Brooklyn.
So here we are. In the throes of planning another move. We have already found tenants to rent our place. As soon as we can, we will sell it. And we will be back in Brooklyn. We will have come full-circle. I find myself wondering - is there a lesson? Was this move part of a bigger set of life experiences, the meaning of which will become clear only much later and upon great reflection? Or was it just that we took a chance and it didn't work out? Does everything have to have a reason? I suppose it's up to me to decide whether I'd like to assign meaning or not. But perhaps it's better to just move on, to choose to spend my energy on what lies ahead, not on what is already done.
I like your idea of moving on and focusing on what lies ahead, but I'm sorry for all the time, energy and effort you spent. Perhaps hindsight and time will show you the purpose.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is you learned a lot about yourself, your relationship and what you like and don't like while fixing up the dream house. It's all good and part of learning. Enjoy it for what you learned and did and now find that new spot to live and learn in. I have done that and been there!
ReplyDeleteI just made a huge move last year, Anna, & love my new place, & the location is wonderful. It's different from your circumstance in that I was in my old house for 36 years & I miss it very much. I think I'll get over the shock of a new place & I did need to get rid of a lot of things, but I miss old neighbors more than anything. The pluses still outweigh the minuses, & if you miss that old neighborhood, you should go for it, especially while your baby is young-easier move. Best wishes to you!
ReplyDeleteA neighborhood becomes so much more important when you have children - it's wonderful that you came to realize this sooner rather than later, Anna - and things seem to have fallen in place. Best of luck with the move!
ReplyDeleteLike Tara said, having children, becoming parents changes everything. Also, Brooklyn is the BEST. That'll teach you! (Just kidding)
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